5 Simple Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Windows
We often treat our windows like walls, we ignore them until something goes wrong. But unlike a wall, a window is a complex machine with moving parts, seals, and balance systems.
In North Texas, our windows take a beating from shifting soil, high heat, and heavy dust. A little preventive maintenance can add years to their lifespan and keep your energy bills in check.
Here are 5 expert maintenance tips from the team at Bridgewood Exteriors to keep your windows operating smoothly.
1. Don’t Just Clean the Glass - Clean the Tracks
If your window is hard to open or close, the culprit is usually not the sash itself, it’s the gunk in the track. Dust, pollen, and dead bugs build up in the bottom rail, creating friction that ruins the rollers and balance shoes over time.
• The Fix: Once a season, open the window fully and vacuum the tracks with a hose attachment. Use an old toothbrush to loosen stubborn dirt in the corners, then wipe it down with a damp cloth.
• Pro Tip: Never use a high-pressure hose to spray out the tracks from the outside. You risk driving water into the wall cavity or breaking the glass seal.
2. Lubricate "Sticky" Vinyl and Hung Windows
This is the #1 step homeowners skip. Even the best windows need lubrication to slide effortlessly. However, using the wrong product can ruin them.
• The Fix: Purchase a can of 100% Silicone Spray (found at any hardware store). Spray it onto a rag—not directly on the window—and wipe down the jamb liners (the vertical tracks where the sash slides). Raise and lower the window a few times to distribute it.
• Warning: DO NOT use WD-40 or oil-based lubricants. They attract dust and dirt, turning into a black sludge that will gum up the mechanism permanently.
3. Inspect the Caulking (The First Line of Defense)
Your window might be energy efficient, but if the seal around the frame is broken, you’re losing money. The caulking on the exterior of your home expands and contracts with the Texas heat, eventually cracking or peeling away.
• The Fix: Walk the perimeter of your house once a year. Look for gaps between the window frame and your siding/brick. If you see cracks, scrape out the old caulk and replace it with a high-quality exterior-grade silicone sealant. This prevents water infiltration that leads to hidden rot.
4. Check the "Weep Holes"
Have you ever wondered what those little slots at the bottom of your exterior window frame are? Those are "weep holes," designed to let rainwater drain out of the track.
• The Fix: Over time, these can get clogged with paint, dirt, or bug nests. If they are blocked, water will fill up the track during a storm and spill over inside your house. Use a piece of wire or a toothpick to gently clear any debris to ensure water can flow freely out.
5. The "Fog Test" for Glass Seals
Cleaning your windows is the perfect time to check the health of your Insulated Glass Unit (IGU).
• The Check: If you wipe the glass on the inside and the outside, but there is still a "smudge" or condensation that you can't reach, your seal has failed.
• What it Means: The insulating gas (Argon) has escaped, and moisture has entered between the panes. Unfortunately, you cannot "clean" this away. A failed seal means the window has lost its energy efficiency. While you can sometimes replace just the glass, this is often a sign that the window frame itself is reaching the end of its life.
When Maintenance Isn’t Enough
Regular maintenance can keep good windows great, but it can’t fix a window that is structurally failing, rotted, or single-pane.
If your windows are drafty, won't stay open, or are foggy despite your best efforts, it might be time to stop patching and start upgrading.
Need an honest opinion on your windows?
At Bridgewood Exteriors, we don’t believe in high-pressure tactics. We’ll tell you if your windows just need a tune-up—or if it’s time for a replacement.
[Click here to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.]